Malda/Kolkata: Wildlife outside the protected area in Bengal is under attack. After the poaching of a few fishing cats in Howrah, a gharial — a critically endangered species — was allegedly killed by villagers in North Dinajpur on Saturday. However, forest department officials said that they are yet to receive any information about its death.
The incident assumes significance as the state wildlife advisory board is likely to hold its meeting on October 8 and one of the issues on its agenda is protection of wildlife outside protected areas.
Though there is no official confirmation about gharial poaching so far, some locals have conceded that one of the two gharials, which were last seen at Ghrititola Ghat under the Itahar block in Kaliaganj forest beat, was shot dead.
Titu Sk, a local NGO worker, said, "These two were separated from the group of six seen in Mahananda near Bala Sahapur on September 12. One was killed and the other is being targeted by fishermen."
He also argued, "Had there been no resistance, the gharials could have moved through Sui to Fulohar river, which is a much safer zone for them since no fishing activities take place there."
After the first sighting, panic gripped the locals who thought these were crocodiles. On September 18, the gharials were again seen at Bairgachi under Gazole block. Members of Green People India, an NGO, rushed to Bairgachhi after getting the news.
"On September 19, we were informed that 4-6 gharials were being disturbed and attacked by local villagers near Gazole's Alal Bridge over Mahananda river. We were excited as the presence of gharials was never reported in this river in the past. We informed the senior foresters. The next day, we held an awareness campaign among the villagers near Alal Bridge and asked the local fishermen to ensure free passage to them," said Subhasish Sengupta of Green People India. According to Kallol Majumder of the NGO, fishermen were after them as they pose a threat to fishing.
Meanwhile, state wildlife advisory board member Joydip Kundu said he will take up the matter in the next meeting of the board. Another board member Biswajit Roy Chowdhury said strong steps need to be taken to ensure protection of gharials, which are native to the Indian subcontinent.
Earlier, locals allegedly tried to catch them and cast nets at Marnai, where Mahananda and Sui meet. On Saturday, a gharial was seen at Mahananda near Aiho, 10km downstream from Ghrititola.
M Acharya, ADFO of North Dinajpur, said, "We have no information about gharial poaching. As per the last information, they have returned to Mahananda, which falls under Malda division."
Conservationists have urged that immediate arrangements should be made so that the gharials can move towards big rivers like Fulohar or the Ganges.
According to reports, about 1,200 gharials survive in the wild in India. In 2003, a few were sighted in Burdwan's Belun, but the sighting of six gharials in the Mahananda was reportedly only the second sighting of the species in Malda. In 2011, a gharial was rescued in Diamond Harbour and another was seen in Malda's Mothabari.
